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A comparison of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy for the large uterus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcomes of women with an enlarged uterus (>or=250 g) who had abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies. METHOD: Retrospective study of the perioperative outcomes of 288 consecutive women with an enlarged uterus, of whom 200 underwent an abdominal hysterectomy and 88 a vaginal hysterectomy, all for benign gynecological conditions. RESULTS: Among the perioperative complications, only the risk of ileus was significantly higher in the group that underwent abdominal hysterectomy. Although the need for blood transfusions was similar between the groups, mean perioperative hemoglobin change was significantly lower for women who had the abdominal approach. Vaginal hysterectomy shortened the length of hospitalization significantly but did not affect the operative time. All of these differences remained significant after adjusting for uterine weight (P<0.05). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups, except for uterine weight. CONCLUSIONS: For women with a uterus weighing 250 g or more, vaginal hysterectomy shortens the hospital stay without significantly increasing perioperative morbidity when compared with the abdominal route.

Adult↗

Diabetes teratogenicity is accompanied by alterations in macrophages and T cell subpopulations in the uterus and lymphoid organs.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a well-known teratogen, which might cause growth retardation, malformations and fetal death. We have previously shown, that potentiation of the maternal immune system (immunopotentiation) might protect the embryo from diabetes teratogenicity. Therefore, in the present study we further inquired whether diabetes teratogenicity might be associated with alterations in the level of immune effector cells in systemic and local lymphoid organs as well as in the uterus throughout pregnancy and whether the protection exerted by maternal immunopotentiation might be realized through its effect on those cells. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in ICR mice was found to reduce pregnancy rate and fetal weight while increasing the resorption rate and the percentage of litters with malformed fetuses. These teratogenic effects were accompanied by a decreased percentage of cells expressing Mac-1, Thy-1.2, CD4 or CD8 in the spleen and inguinal as well as paraaortic lymph nodes, except for Mac-1 expression by splenocytes, which increased significantly in the beginning of pregnancy and decreased later. A different pattern was observed in the uterus, when the percentage of cells expressing these markers tended to increase in the beginning of pregnancy and decrease later. Intrauterine immunopotentiation with rat splenocytes was found to improve the reproductive performance of diabetic animals. This protective effect was accompanied by a general normalization of the level of the various cell surface markers, when in most cases their expression returned to that found in nonimmunopotentiated mice. Our results suggest that the protection exerted by maternal immunopotentiation on the embryo against diabetes teratogenicity might be mediated via its effect on the level of immune effector cells localized to uterus and lymphoid organs, which was found to be altered in diabetic mice.

Animals↗

In vitro simulations of embryo transfer in a laboratory model of the uterus.

Embryo transfer (ET) is the final manual intervention during which the newly formed embryo is placed within the uterus by a transcervical catheter. The loading of the syringe-catheter complex with the transferred volume consists of the transfer media (which contains the embryos) separated by air spaces on both sides. The dynamics involved in injecting the syringe-catheter complex is not well understood nor has it been investigated to date. We developed an in vitro experimental setup for simulations of ET into a rigid transparent uterine model. The catheter was loaded in sequences of liquid and air as it is in the clinical setting. The transferred liquid was colored with a dye and its dispersion within the uterine cavity was recorded by a video camera. The results demonstrated, for the first time, the importance of having a gas phase in the catheter load. The resulting air bubbles within the uterus were carried upward towards the fundus by buoyant forces, thereby dragging behind them the transferred liquid which contained the embryos. This could be expected to substantially increase the probability for the embryos to be present near the fundal wall at the time window for implantation. There was also evidence of a dependency of the rate of injection upon the catheter load into the uterus: a low speed generated several air bubbles which led to more of the transferred liquid being carried towards the fundal end, thus possibly enhancing the potential for implantation.

Embryo Transfer↗

Simple and highly efficient method for transient in vivo gene transfer to mid-late pregnant mouse uterus.

Up- and down-regulation of various genes in the placenta, decidua and amnion has been reported during the mid-late period of pregnancy and in pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia and preterm labor. However, whether this gene regulation at the feto-maternal interface directly influences the physiology/pathophysiology of disease remains unknown. In order to study this problem, transient gene transfer into the pregnant uterus at mid-late term would be a useful tool. We injected exogenous plasmid entrapped using a commercially available Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan Envelope (HVJ-E) vector system (GenomONE Neo, Ishihara Sangyo) into the extra-amniotic space of the upper part of the pregnant mouse uterus on day 14.5 post-coitus (p.c.). Luciferase activity driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter was detectable for 3 days after transfection in the upper, middle and lower part of the uterus. beta-Galactsidase activity was localized in the basal lamina of the placenta, the decidual membrane and the fetal membrane. Exogenous plasmid was not transmitted to the fetus. The course of pregnancy was not disturbed by this procedure; rupture of membranes, intrauterine fetal growth restriction and preterm birth were not observed. Thus, we demonstrated that this transient gene transfer method is highly efficient and minimally invasive, and expect that this procedure will be a useful tool to analyze the pathophysiology of pregnancy-related disorders.

Animals↗

Comparative study of the short-term effects of a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator, ospemifene, and raloxifene and tamoxifen on rat uterus.

To investigate the differential short-term effects of selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERMs) on uterus, we treated adult ovariectomized rats with a novel SERM, ospemifene (Osp), two previously established SERMs (tamoxifen and raloxifene (Ral)) and estradiol. The expression of two estrogen-regulated early response genes c-fos and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and DNA synthesis were analysed at 1-24 h after treatment of ovariectomized rats. Induction of c-fos mRNA by each of the SERMs showed a biphasic pattern with peaks at 3 and 20 h, respectively. The maximum level of VEGF mRNA was observed at 1 h after raloxifene and 6 h after tamoxifen or ospemifene treatment. Maximum levels of the c-fos and VEGF mRNA after raloxifene treatment were higher than those seen after treatments with E2 or a corresponding dose of tamoxifen or ospemifene. DNA synthesis was significantly increased by ospemifene, tamoxifen and raloxifene both in luminal and glandular epithelium. The stimulation was transient, peaking at 16 h. In comparison, the maximum level observed at 16 h after E2 treatment sustained at least until 24 h. DNA synthesis in stromal cells was increased by the SERMs but not by E2 at 24 h. When treated together with E2, the SERMs were able to antagonise E2-stimulated DNA synthesis at 16 h. Our results demonstrate that the initial response of uterus to ospemifene, raloxifene and tamoxifen includes activation of early response genes and even transient stimulation of DNA synthesis in spite of their different long-term effects. However, the early stimulatory events may be mediated by different mechanisms leading to diverging pathways in various tissue compartments and development of differential SERM-specific long-term responses of uterus.

Animals↗

The early embryo loss caused by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin may be related to the accumulation of this compound in the uterus.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a reproductive and developmental toxicant that can alter endocrine status, leading to decreased fertility and altered embryonic development; however, there are limited reports on TCDD toxicity during early pregnancy. In the present study, pregnant and pseudopregnant NIH mice were exposed to TCDD orally (2, 50 and 100 ng/kg body weight) during early gestation (days 1-8), pre-implantation stages (days 1-3), and peri-implantation to early post-implantation stages (days 4-8). TCDD concentration in uterus, liver, kidney, brain and fat on day 9 of pregnancy was monitored by an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor, AhR)-mediated LacZ reporter system in yeast. Results showed that the number of implanted embryos was significantly reduced on day 9 of gestation by 50 and 100 ng/kg TCDD exposure. The number of implantation sites was lower for animals exposed to TCDD on days 1-3 versus those exposed during days 4-8. Decidualization in pseudopregnant mice was also inhibited by TCDD exposure. TCDD concentrations as low as 2 ng/kg significantly decreased serum progesterone levels but had no effect on serum estradiol. TCDD level in the uterus was equal to levels in the liver, but lower than the fat tissue. These results suggest that TCDD sensitivity might be attributed its local accumulation in the uterus.

Animals↗

Upregulation of estrogen receptor expression in the uterus of ovariectomized B6C3F1 mice and Ishikawa cells treated with bromoethane.

In a 2-year NTP bioassay, Bromoethane (BE) was found to induce endometrial neoplasms in the uterus of B6C3F1 mice [; ]. In women, hormonal influences, such as "unopposed" estrogenic stimulus, have been implicated as important etiologic factors in uterine cancer. BE, however, does not affect the serum concentrations of sex hormones in female B6C3F1 mice [] and the mechanism of BE-induced uterine carcinogenesis still remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the estrogenic effects of BE on the uterus of ovariectomized B6C3F1 mice and on Ishikawa cells. Groups of 6 mice were given daily s.c. injections of 0, 100, 500 or 1000 mg BE/kg for 3 consecutive days. Mice treated with 17beta-estradiol served as positive controls. Mice were necropsied 24 h after the final injection, and uteri were weighed and examined histologically and immunohistochemically along with the vagina. Changes observed in the estrogen-treated mice included increased uterine weights, edema and inflammation of the endometrium, increased epithelial layers of the uterine and vaginal lumens and keratinization of the vaginal epithelium. In the BE-treated mice, no such changes occurred; however, immunohistochemical staining of the uterus revealed a significant increase in immunoexpression of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) in the two higher dose groups. Analysis of mRNA also showed slightly increased uterine ERalpha expression in these groups. Upregulated expression of ERalpha was confirmed in BE-treated Ishikawa cells, in which Western blotting analyses identified an intense signal at approximately 66 kDa, which is consistent with ERalpha. These data suggest that upregulated expression of ERalpha may be important in the induction of endometrial neoplasms in BE-treated mice.

Animals↗

Lactoferrin expression in the canine uterus during the estrous cycle and with pyometra.

The expression of lactoferrin, a non-specific antimicrobial defence, in the canine uterus during the normal estrous cycle and in bitches with pyometra was examined. Using polymerase chain reaction analysis, lactoferrin gene transcripts were detected in the endometrium at all stages of the estrous cycle, with the highest levels in estrus. In normal bitches, endometrial lactoferrin mRNA increased from proestrus to estrus (P<0.05). Thereafter, it dramatically decreased from estrus to Day 10 of diestrus (P<0.05), and stayed low at Day 35 of diestrus and anestrus; this was consistent with blood estrogen concentrations. Levels of lactoferrin mRNA were higher in bitches with pyometra than in normal diestrus (P<0.05). With immunohistochemistry, distinct staining of lactoferrin was detected in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium at proestrus and estrus, but little staining was detected at Day 10 of diestrus. At Day 35 of diestrus and anestrus, a partial and weak reaction was present in the same region. In bitches with pyometra, the glandular epithelial cells and many cells in the uterine stroma were strongly stained. Staining cells in the stroma were morphologically similar to neutrophils. No lactoferrin staining was seen in the uterine stromal cells or myometrium in any section. These results suggest that, in the canine uterus, lactoferrin expression is related to the blood concentration of estrogen, and that the dramatic reduction in lactoferrin observed at the early stage of diestrus may impair antimicrobial defense. Also, enhanced expression of lactoferrin mRNA in the endometrium with pyometra may be associated with neutrophil invasion into the uterus to combat the infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pure estrogenic effect of benzophenone-2 (BP2) but not of bisphenol A (BPA) and dibutylphtalate (DBP) in uterus, vagina and bone.

UNLABELLED: Contradictory results whether the endocrine disrupters (ED) benzophenone-2 (BP2), bisphenol A (BPA) and dibutylphtalate (DBP) exert estrogenic effects have been published. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) exert estrogenic effects in some but not in all organs and ED may be SERMs. Therefore, we studied their binding properties to recombinant ERalpha and ERbeta protein and their effects in the uterus, vagina and bone of ovariectomized rats. BP2 bound to both receptor subtypes, while BPA had a relatively high ERbeta selectivity. DBP did not bind to ERalpha but with a low affinity to ERbeta. In the uterus, only E2 and BP2 increased uterine weight and the complement C3 but decreased ERbeta gene expression. Discrete effects of BPA and DBP in the uterus were found upon histological examination. In the vagina, BP2 but not BPA and DBP had clear estrogenic effects. E2 and BP2 had antiosteoporotic effects in the metaphysis of the tibia. The serum surrogate parameters of bone metabolism, i.e. osteocalcin and the cross (rat) laps were significantly reduced by E2, an effect shared with BP2 but not by the two other EDs. THE CONCLUSION: BP2 acts as ERalpha and ERbeta agonist mimicking effects of E2, while the effects of BPA and DBP are not pure estrogenic.

Animals↗

Endometrial carcinoma in one horn of a bicornuate uterus.

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen therapy is related to endometrial adenocarcinoma. Bicornuate uteri are more common than assumed. There are a few reports of endometrioid carcinoma arising in a bicornuate uterus, but none of these discuss a serous papillary component or an association with tamoxifen therapy. CASE: This is a case of a mixed endometrioid and serous papillary endometrial carcinoma arising in one horn of a bicornuate uterus. Multiple benign polyps were also present. CONCLUSION: Adequate tissue sampling of both horns is critical to arriving at a timely and accurate diagnosis of malignancy in patients with a bicornuate uterus.

Aged↗

Extraction of estrogens by human perfused uterus. Effects of membrane permeability and binding by serum proteins on differential influx into endometrium and myometrium.

The present study was undertaken to examine the extractions of estradiol, estrone, and estrone sulfate from the circulation of the human perfused uterus. The differential permeability of endometrial and myometrial vascular beds to estrogens was evaluated in uteri samples obtained during the proliferative and secretive phases of the menstrual cycle. The effects of binding by human serum proteins on estrogen influx into the endometrium and myometrium were also determined by the use of double-isotope, single-injection, timed tissue sampling techniques adapted to the extracorporeal perfusion of human uterus. Tritiated test estrogen was injected into the uterine artery as a mixture with 14C-butanol, a free diffusible reference substance. The influx of 14C-dextran (a membrane-impermeable compound) was used to test the aspecific influx from vasculature to extravascular space. Results show that in the human perfused uterus: (1) membrane permeability plays different roles in estrogen influxes between the endometrium and myometrium; (2) during the proliferative and secretive phase of the menstrual cycle the uterine microvessels are differently permeable to the free plus protein-bound estrogens; and (3) plasma proteins decrease the endometrial and myometrial uptakes of estrogens.

Blood Proteins↗

Vitamin B12 R-binder localization in the human uterus: an immunohistochemical study.

The localization of vitamin B12 R-binder in the uterus was studied by use of an immunoperoxidase technique. Positive staining by anti-R-binder antiserum was observed in the columnar epithelium of the endocervix (18/18 cases) and in the surface epithelium of the endometrium (8/21 cases). Staining was usually seen in the apical portion of the epithelium; cytoplasmic staining in the endocervical columnar epithelium was intense. The secretory products in the endocervical glands showed positive staining. The endometrial glandular epithelium did not stain (0/24 cases). Metaplastic squamous epithelium of the endocervix showed positive staining (3/18 cases). The native squamous epithelium as well as the stromal components of the cervix, endometrium, and myometrium were negative for R-binder. This study shows that R-binder is localized in the uterus, especially in the endocervical glands. The R-binder in the endocervix may have antimicrobial activity in the uterus as in other organs, such as the intestines and mammary glands.

Adult↗

Vaginal hysterectomy for the woman with a moderately enlarged uterus weighing 200 to 700 grams.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of women with moderately enlarged uteri undergoing vaginal hysterectomy with those of women with uteri of normal size undergoing vaginal hysterectomy. A secondary objective was to investigate the roles of uterine morcellation and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of these women. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty consecutive women during a 2-year period with uterine enlargement to a weight of between 200 and 700 g underwent vaginal hysterectomy or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy limited to lysis of adhesions or adnexectomy. These patients with uterine enlargement (group 1) were compared with 160 women with uteri weighing <200 g who also underwent vaginal hysterectomy or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy during the same interval (group 2). The 2 groups were compared for total complications, operative time, hospital stay, perioperative hemoglobin concentration change, and use of vaginal uterine morcellation and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. RESULTS: Operative time for vaginal hysterectomy was significantly longer for women in group 1 than for women in group 2 (66.6 +/- 26.2 minutes vs 53.0 +/- 25.5 minutes, P =.008). There was a linear relationship between uterine weight and operative time: Operative time = 47.156 + 0.056 x Uterine weight (r = 0.20, F = 7.66, degrees of freedom 1, 188, P = .006). Vaginal morcellation of the uterus was needed in 80.0% of the women in group 1 and in 10.0% of the women in group 2 (P < .001). Two women in group 1 (6.7%) and 9 women (5.6%) in group 2 had laparoscopically assisted procedures for lysis of adhesions, adnexectomy, or both, unrelated to uterine size (P =.69). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to perioperative hemoglobin concentration change or hospital stay. Finally, the rates of major surgical complications were similar in the 2 groups (3.3% in group 1 vs 4.3% in group 2, P > .99, 95% confidence interval -8.1% to 5.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Although vaginal hysterectomy requires a modest increase in operative time, it is as safe and effective for the woman with a moderately enlarged uterus as for the woman with a uterus of normal size. Vaginal uterine morcellation is the key to a successful operation and obviates the need for either abdominal or laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy solely to deal with moderate uterine enlargement.

Adult↗

Chemokine ligand and receptor expression in the pregnant uterus: reciprocal patterns in complementary cell subsets suggest functional roles.

During human pregnancy, the uterus is infiltrated by a population of maternal leukocytes that co-exist with fetal cytotrophoblasts occupying the decidua and uterine blood vessels. These immune cells, termed "decidual granulated leukocytes," are composed predominantly (70%) of the CD56(bright) subset of natural killer cells, accompanied by T cells (15%) and macrophages (15%). The mechanisms underlying the recruitment of these cells are unknown, but by analogy to other systems, chemokines are likely to be involved. We examined the expression patterns of 14 chemokines in the decidualized uterine wall by in situ hybridization, and the expression of chemokine receptors on decidual leukocytes by RNase protection. The striking concordance between the expression of chemokines in the uterus and their receptors on decidual leukocytes allowed us to identify numerous receptor-ligand pairs that may recruit the latter cells to the uterus during pregnancy. Additionally, chemokine expression patterns suggested other, nonimmune functions for these molecules, including a role in cytotrophoblast differentiation. Together, our results imply that chemokine networks serve important functions at the maternal-fetal interface.

Blood Vessels↗

Effects on mouse uterus of three antitumoral drugs acting upon estrogen and progesterone receptors directly and through other transduction pathways.

Three antitumoral drugs, tamoxifen (Tam), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), and 8-Cl-cyclic AMP (8Cl), were administered separately and in combination to normal adult mice in order to record their effects on uterus weight, on estrous cycle, and on two estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) parameters, namely content and nucleo-cytoplasm distribution. Tam decreased uterus weight (49%) and total ER content (118+/-6 vs 328+/-20 fmol/mg protein in controls) but increased total PgR (1183+/-230 vs 743+/-52 fmol/mg protein in controls) and nuclear retention of ER and PgR. MPA down-regulated PgR content and increased uterus weight (36%), but failed to modify ER and PgR nuclear retention. The only parameter changed by 8Cl was nucleo-cytoplasm PgR distribution. Tam + MPA association produced the same results as Tam alone for ER and PgR nuclear retention, but receptor content was not significantly different from that of controls. Both drugs, administered separately, had opposite effects on PgR content; when both were acting concurrently, an algebraic addition of effects was observed, as if both transcription circuits were triggered independently. Remaining Tam effects, not modified by a combination with MPA, indicated the predominance of Tam on the corresponding parameters. When Tam and 8Cl were administered together, 8Cl counteracted the effect of Tam only on PgR content. When associated with MPA, 8Cl changed the effects of MPA on ER and PgR nuclear retention, whereas on receptor content, only that of ER was increased (502+/-47 vs 328+/-20 fmol/mg protein in controls). These crossed effects indicate that interrelations between different transduction pathways can affect certain functional circuits while sparing others. The possibility of acting pharmacologically upon different transcription pathways represents a novel approach to modify drug effects directed to specific transduction targets through cross-talk between their components.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Unique sensitivity to alpha-galactosylceramide of NKT cells in the uterus.

It was previously reported that NKT cells, which are mainly present in the liver of mice, are also present in the uterus and that these uterine NKT cells are associated with abortion under overactivated conditions. In this study, we further examined their phenotypic and functional properties. In parallel with the progression of pregnancy, the number of uterine lymphocytes increased. This increase accompanied an increase in the number of TCRalphabeta(+) T cells and NKT cells in the uterus, although the number of NKT cells decreased at late pregnancy. Approximately one-third of the TCRalphabeta(+) cells were NKT cells at the early pregnant stage, while this ratio decreased toward late pregnancy. These uterine NKT cells were found to respond to alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) differently in comparison with liver NKT cells. In contrast to the apoptotic response of liver NKT cells on day 1 after alpha-GalCer injection, uterine NKT cells expanded prominently without such apoptosis. The majority of liver NKT cells were CD4(+). In contrast, almost all of the uterine NKT cells were double negative CD4(-)8(-). However, similar to liver NKT cells, uterine NKT cells used an invariant chain of Valpha14Jalpha281 gene for TCRalpha. The resistance against apoptosis might be due to the high expression of bcl-2 on uterine NKT cells after alpha-GalCer activation. Other evidence was that macrophages which existed in the pregnant uterus carried an activation marker, CD69, and could potentially produce many cytokines by their activation. The present results suggest that uterine NKT cells and surrounding macrophages are quite different in function from those in the liver.

Animals↗

Characterization of a uterine luminal fluid protein ULF-250 using N-terminal microsequencing and RT-PCR identifies a novel estrogen-regulated gene in the rat uterus.

We had previously identified an estrogen responsive protein ULF-250, synthesized and secreted by the estrous rat uterus, which is immunologically distinct from complement C3 and alpha2-macroglobulin. The N-terminal microsequencing of ULF-250 followed by sequence homology analysis showed that this protein is a new member of a class of estrogen responsive proteins in the uterus. Polymerase chain reaction with a ULF-250 specific primer yielded partial sequence information of its message. The observed pattern of ULF-250 message in the uterus during the various stages of the reproductive cycle in the rat suggested a possible regulation of ULF-250 message by 17beta-estradiol. Upstream sequencing of ULF-250 message and its promoter domains would provide insight into the mechanism of its regulation by estradiol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Successful treatment of symptomatic arteriovenous malformation of the uterus using laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of symptomatic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the uterus that was successfully treated with laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): A 66-year-old woman with symptomatic AVM of the uterus. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical symptoms, color Doppler sonographic examination, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. RESULT(S): Remarkable shrinkage of the lesion size, obvious decrease in all of the impedance measurements (pulsatility, resistance, velocity indexes [systolic/diastolic]), and freedom from symptoms. CONCLUSION(S): This modality is a new alternative method for the management of patients with symptomatic AVM of the uterus who do not respond to conservative treatment.

Aged↗